Due to the thin wall header tubing it can sometimes sound (mimic) as if the exhaust is leaking especially when started cold. If the bike has been routinely lifted by a jack under the headers then the likelihood of an exhaust leak at seal between header and head increases which is where a ticking type leak would occur.

This is what I doLocal and need repair help with your 1500, Valkyrie or ST please PM

kybigmac wrote:Weld a nut on the part sticking out ,the heat will loosen it an you can back it out with a wrench.

If you can double-nut it, use a torch to gently heat both the header AND the stud, get them good and hot, then press an ice cube against the stud ONLY. The idea is to get the stud to contract faster than the metal it's seated in, so it comes loose. Then use the double nut to back it out.